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Hitachi apologises for IEP problems

GWR 800006 and 43041 stand at London Paddington on October 16. RICHARD CLINNICK.

Hitachi Rail Europe apologised for the problems that affected the first passenger-carrying Intercity Express Programme train on October 16.

HVAC failures causing a water-leak and overheating meant that Great Western Railway's 800005 and 800006, operating the 0600 Bristol Temple Meads-London Paddington arrived in the capital late, having also suffered a pantograph fault at Taplow. The '800s' were removed from traffic. 

HRE Managing Director Karen Boswell said: “Nine years of hard work has gone into making today happen, from creating a new factory and workforce, to establishing modern maintenance facilities from Swansea to London. We’ve delivered pioneering 21st century trains for passengers to enjoy and sparked a manufacturing renaissance in the North East.

“I am, however, very sorry and disappointed that today’s first passenger train from Bristol encountered technical issues, causing a delay to the service and an air-conditioning issue which resulted in water entering the carriage rather than being discharged externally.

“This was not to a standard that Hitachi expects and is known for. We can and will do better. Our depot teams are, as a matter of priority, investigating the root causes of today’s technical issues, and we will ensure that these are corrected as quickly as possible.”

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  • FrankH - 17/10/2017 12:12

    I think Karen Boswell's comment " nine years of hard work has gone into making today happen" will be mocked by some of the press considering what happened.

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  • Melvyn - 17/10/2017 17:28

    Could have worse had the meeting with Paddington Bear by Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry been combined with Royal journey on first Hitachi train in service to Paddington.... Ah well at least that steam train proved reliable!

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  • Leon Whitfield - 17/10/2017 18:24

    Waste of time stopping eletrcation in curtain stations . And will the new trains be better than HST ..csnt see it at moment

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    • FrankH - 17/10/2017 20:28

      Electrification has only got as far as Maidenhead. It will continue to be extended towards Bristol and Cardiff (I think) over the coming months. To be better than the HST's they will have to very very good, only time will tell.

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  • AndrewJGwilt1989 - 19/10/2017 02:55

    Well that's the problem with new trains that have some technical problems or even minor incidents including the leakage.

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  • mike wilcock - 20/10/2017 07:01

    I travelled as a guest of GWR on their 1st run Cardiff - Swansea last Monday. No problems whatsoever; let's hope the local press still don't receive complaints about " why not electric ?" They don't understand the need to lift bridges etc for the catenary. Also, the IEP conveniently makes the local stations look old so they are hopefully being upgraded

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